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What a fun issue! Great characterization and dialogue between Clark and Lois. Little moments like Perry's 'diagnosis' and Supe's counseling the accosted reporter show what makes him 'him' when he's not fighting bad guys.Plus "super sex." Twice!

Superman confronts Lois Lane and wants answers: Where is Jon Kent? What happened during Lois' trip into space with Jor-El? Why didn't she contact the Man of Steel when she returned? And most importantly, does she still love him? Or is the world-famous reporter looking to let Clark Kent down easy? Lois and Clark's relationship gets redefined in this...

Superman confronts Lois Lane and wants answers: Where is Jon Kent? What happened during Lois' trip into space with Jor-El? Why didn't she contact the Man of Steel when she returned? And most importantly, does she still love him? Or is the world-famous reporter looking to let Clark Kent down easy? Lois and Clark's relationship gets redefined in this...

It was an accident of fate. A mysterious bonding between a super hero, a human and an alien machine. Mar-Vell and the Psyche-Magnitron that gave her Kree powers have been part of Carol's story since the beginning - but that's just the story you know. The true tale of Carol Danvers and her journey to becoming Captain Marvel begins years ago, on a st...

The first page of this comic can be used to describe this whole issue, nay, the whole volume, perfectly. The first statement in this comic describes the Phantom Zone as the Nightmare Dimension where Krypton sent its worst creatures, criminals, and GARBAGE. That last statement is exactly what this volume continues to be, the pile ever growing with each issue bendis churns out. And just like Superman says immediately after “and here comes that GARBAGE now!”. Too bad you’re already drowing in it Big Blue.

Next writer to take on this book will have to do one hell of a dumpster dive to recover anything of value after bendis is done with his run, because so far it’s what amount a giant polished turd that somehow people keep getting up.

No amount of poor humor, that keeps on missing its mark, and snarky remarks can compensate for one of the worst stories in Superman since the 90’s.

Also, why does bendis keep crapping on Barry Allen? Could anyone tell me, because I’d like to know.more

As Superman fights to protect the world from Rogol Zaar and the Kryptonian convicts trapped inside the Phantom Zone, the greatest minds on Earth devise a risky plan to return the planet from the deadly prison. With the Earth continuing to crack and crumble and its greatest heroes fall, can the Man of Steel hold the line and give his adop...

Yet I can write entire essays on how the current volumes of Superman and Action Comics are absolute garbage.
And yeah, I’ve felt compelled to continually review the Superman family comics since bendis took over because they went from legitimately good stories to absolute trash. If they were not as bad as they are and a complete affront to Superman himself, I would not do this. But as long as people keep rating this barely passable garbage as 7+/10 I’ll keep stating what I believe.

bendis can't maintain consistency in the characterization of his own original character, rogol zaar, possibly the most generic "alien warlord" type there is.
He blatantly ignores established continuity and has characters act in ways that make absolutely no sense given their previous portrayals in other, and even concurrent, books; look at how Barry Allen appears in this title, you'd think he's the biggest idiot there ever was.
To me his humor never hits its mark, it's always cringey.

He effectively took away one of the facets of Superman that lead to the biggest growth in his character in the previous volume, his family, for no reason. The way he did so makes absolutely no sense, because the last time Superman actually saw his father, who he let his family leave with, they were enemies. They never reconciled, yet he ignored that. He portrayed Jon Kent in a way that is basically the opposite of how he's shown in Super Sons, a book exponentially better than this one.

An example taken directly from this issue, he has no idea how Superman's powers work. The way he used his solar flare here is not in line with the actual idea of how it functions. He also basically has Superman forget how the initial conflict with rogol zaar was resolved.
It's part of his M.O. of ignoring everything established about a character just to tell whatever story he wants, no matter how asinine it is.

There's plenty wrong with the writing, and no matter how good the art may be it cannot compensate. For every great splash page showing what may be a great action sequence, you have panels filled with senseless dialogue that just takes away all the momentum it can build up.

With Flash, I agree, he does come off as a bit of dumbass. Not so much in this issue though. Rogol Zaar I think is consistent. Big, angry alien hell-bent on killing Kryptonians. Generic? Maybe, but I think it's executed well. As for ignoring established continuity. It's a bit hard to tell nowadays what's in and what's not in continuity, but I don't recall any deviation from continuity made by Bendis.

rogol zaar is anything but consistent, he's initially shown as a being wanting to "safeguard the universe", then he's willing to kill an entire planet and billions of inhabitants to get to 3 kryptonians. He's supposed to want to eradicate kryptions, then he strikes a deal with one of their biggest criminals who's part of the race himself.

Everything to do with Jor-El here is a massive deviation of continuity. His lack of an understanding regarding Superman's powers can easily fit into that as well. Jon choosing to leave his parents for a grandfather who last time he encountered him was an ENEMY of his father, is downright stupid.

As for the Superfamily, that angle is more touched on in Action Comics. But I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt because it's clear that he is trying to build towards something. We still don't know what happened on that trip with Jor-El. Maybe Robin's attitude rubbed off a bit on Jon and he decided to stay in space with Jor? Maybe that's why Lois wasn't very keen on meeting with Clark? One thing is for sure. Super-dad made me like Superman.

For that trip to even make sense, there would have to be a reconciliation with Jor-El. That never happened. That makes the whole premise of his family leaving with him be ludicrous. Jon choosing to leave his family, when it goes against the very values he was instilled in, is as I said, dumb as hell. The previous volume with Gleason and Tomasi was fantastic. This is a far cry from it and from the "Super-dad" you just stated you like.
This is terrible writing.

If there is something bendis can write it's street-level heroes with very limited history and characterization so he can mold them as he chooses. But the most storied Superhero in all Western comics, that is the worst fit for him to manage.

Just about the only main universe book with Superman being released right now worth a damn is Justice League. The key difference between that book and Superman & Action Comics, bendis has no hand in it.

Well, I will refrain from any judgments right now, since we don't know everything about this whole ordeal with Jor-El. In Man of Steel there were only tidbits of info and in AC it's just getting some spotlight. So I'll wait.

I won't, the idea behind is frankly beyond dumb, and it ignores clear storylines that just happened in the past volume. It asks for far more suspension of disbelief that it merits. Everyone acts out-of-character, sometimes in the most nonsensical of ways, and whatever "intrigue" the story is supposed to build is just lost through that.
The art is great though, too bad the writing cannot measure up.

Justice League, Aquaman, Detective Comics, and Green Arrow are a few I consider good. The Flash is for the most part solid, Hal Jordan & the GL Corps was pretty good, sucks it ended. Probably the Wild Storm is what I’m enjoying the most. JL Dark, Odyssey and Hawkman have promise. Stuck to DC with this list.

As Superman fights to protect the world from Rogol Zaar and the Kryptonian convicts trapped inside the Phantom Zone, the greatest minds on Earth devise a risky plan to return the planet from the deadly prison. With the Earth continuing to crack and crumble and its greatest heroes fall, can the Man of Steel hold the line and give his adop...

Guest-starring the Justice League! Locked inside the Phantom Zone, the Earth stands poisoned and its heroes lie dying, with no idea how to escape the deadly Kryptonian trap. But an even deadlier threat invades as Rogol Zaar teams with those who have been imprisoned inside the Phantom Zone to use Earth to escape, not caring if they destroy the plane...

A bold new era of the adventures of the Man of Steel continues as bodies fall from the sky and buildings burn around the City of Tomorrow. Even Superman must wonder how well he knows the city he protects as an unknown criminal element begins to rise throughout Metropolis.

Superman is pissed. Some weird stuff is happening all around his city (building fires, criminals falling out of the sky) and all of it is happening right under his nose, and he has no idea where to look for a cause of this. To make matters worse, his wife seems to be back from her space voyages, but she's not very keen on meeting with her husband. Tough week for the Man of Steel.

But there is a silver lining. All these shenanigans make for a great read. Bendis crafts a nice story here, that keeps you guessing and wondering "what's next?". He's doing this with a good dialogue, without any cringe-worthy lines, and some nice little humor sprinkled in.
He also gets help from Pat Gleason, whose art just elevates the book and improves it even more.

A bold new era of the adventures of the Man of Steel continues as bodies fall from the sky and buildings burn around the City of Tomorrow. Even Superman must wonder how well he knows the city he protects as an unknown criminal element begins to rise throughout Metropolis.

Did you read the write-up on issue #5? Do you really think anything's gotten better for the Justice League in the past two weeks? Still Force? Still a thing! Ultraviolet Galaxy Lantern? Keeps attacking! Sinestro? Total garbage! Lex Luthor and Joker? Beating everyone to the Source Wall piece. If that happens? You don't wanna know.

"Cold Days" continues! The jury in the Mr. Freeze trial is hopelessly deadlocked because one man won't vote guilty-and that man is Bruce Wayne. Freeze's defense is that Batman used excessive force, making his arrest illegal, and Bruce is the one man who actually knows for sure what went down between Batman and his ice-cold nemesis. And if Bruce is ...

WOW. I'm practically speechless. I think that was the most perfect issue of a Batman comic I've ever read in my life. That was a perfect comic book. I almost regret giving any other comic a 10 because if anything else got a 10 this issue deserves an 11. WOW.

"Cold Days" continues! The jury in the Mr. Freeze trial is hopelessly deadlocked because one man won't vote guilty-and that man is Bruce Wayne. Freeze's defense is that Batman used excessive force, making his arrest illegal, and Bruce is the one man who actually knows for sure what went down between Batman and his ice-cold nemesis. And if Bruce is ...

I'm confused. If Batman gets married, he's no longer a good Batman because he's "happy." Now he's not a good Batman because he's "sad." What Batman clearly needs is Meds!

As for this issue, it "sounds" good, but really, makes no sense. Superman is god-like, not Batman. Batman is a vigilante who beats the snot out of people and is a polarizing figure, in "real" life. Plus, what kind of sense does it make for a whiny Bruce Wayne to lament (in vague terms) that when his heart was broken, he turned to Batman to fix it? Batman doesn't do Romance! And geez - "Playboy" Bruce Wayne, you're the first person who ever got dumped?? It comes off pathetic. And finally, what does any of this have to do with the EVIDENCE, which was still pretty over-whelming, if "baked."

"Cold Days" continues! The jury in the Mr. Freeze trial is hopelessly deadlocked because one man won't vote guilty-and that man is Bruce Wayne. Freeze's defense is that Batman used excessive force, making his arrest illegal, and Bruce is the one man who actually knows for sure what went down between Batman and his ice-cold nemesis. And if Bruce is ...

[My original review for posterity. I originally gave this issue a rating of 4.5.]: "I don't see what people apparently see in Bendis. I find his voice to be utterly generic. I do love me some Ivan Reis art (esp. Superman) so that's what the points are for.

"If you're looking for a good Super-book this week that seems to well accomplish what Bendis seems to be trying to do I'd recommend Supergirl #21 by Andreyko and Maguire instead. Even with Rogol Zaar they drank BB's milkshake."

I just gave Superman #2 a second chance and I think I just had so much bias going against him (based only on his prior DC work which I found really unremarkable) I wasn't able to enjoy his writing. On a re-read I finally felt like I got what people enjoy about Bendis and I enjoyed it too.

His writing is more natural than I was giving it credit for. I'd felt he was trying too hard and not advancing the ball very much earlier and I suppose it would be fair to say I projected that onto this issue. If I hadn't had that bias this would have been a solid 8 from me, as it was on my re-reading of it, nearly a week later.

On second read I enjoyed the cameos particularly much. And I love that Bendis thinks of the Justice League as potentially including Plastic Man and Hawkman along with the current membership... It gives the DCU a lived-in feeling that New 52 robbed it of... It honors the history. (Ralph would do that better than Plas but I was happy enough to see either of them.) I wonder if it's coincidence they each launched series' three issues back. Regardless, I loved seeing each in a JLA context.

And Bendis' tweets since he took the gig, showing old DC books as he did his research, were very endearing. He's obviously done a lot of research and he's obviously really enjoyed it. And it's paid off. (After all, he didn't color Barry's hair like Wally's.)

I'm giving it an extra point as a mea culpa. I don't have any problem with reversing myself when I come to a different opinion. And I quite like it when it happens in a positive direction, not so much when I cease to love a thing (oh, Louis CK). "I contain multitudes" and all that. We all do.more

The world quakes and shakes as it begins to succumb to the effects of the entire planet being moved into the lifeless realm known as the Phantom Zone. As Superman works with the World's Greatest Heroes, an old enemy trapped in the same prison returns to stop the Man of Steel and escape.

The world quakes and shakes as it begins to succumb to the effects of the entire planet being moved into the lifeless realm known as the Phantom Zone. As Superman works with the World's Greatest Heroes, an old enemy trapped in the same prison returns to stop the Man of Steel and escape.

Lex Luthor's back in the present just trying to live his best life after seeing what the future could have held for him. Luthor's new mantra? "Embrace Your Doom!" So now he's rounding up a new Legion of Doom to go on a cosmic wilding and establish himself as the biggest baddie in the DCU. In full recruiting mode, Luthor approaches both Sinestro and...

"Cold Days" continues! The jury in the Mr. Freeze trial is hopelessly deadlocked because one man won't vote guilty-and that man is Bruce Wayne. Freeze's defense is that Batman used excessive force, making his arrest illegal, and Bruce is the one man who actually knows for sure what went down between Batman and his ice-cold nemesis. And if Bruce is ...

"Cold Days" continues! The jury in the Mr. Freeze trial is hopelessly deadlocked because one man won't vote guilty-and that man is Bruce Wayne. Freeze's defense is that Batman used excessive force, making his arrest illegal, and Bruce is the one man who actually knows for sure what went down between Batman and his ice-cold nemesis. And if Bruce is ...

10 or 1 every time is not bad or good. That is just how one feels. Although it is odd for someone to always rate 1 and still come back for more, someone who rates 10 is obviously enjoying themselves so it makes sense for for them to be here after 50+ issues. So the real question is... why are you haters here? If you have rated 50+ as 1... maybe you should stop reading it and go away. It's not like you cant find Batman in a buncha other comics you would probably enjoy more.

The only reason to keep reading would be if there was hope you'd start to enjoy it. If you have some raging hateful bias and are unable to change your mind yet keep coming back for more... then you are a masochistic hater, I would say you were pathetic, but you definitely have issues.

Red is one of hundreds shanghaied out of Portland in the late 1800s. Drugged, kidnapped, and sold to a ship's captain, she wakes up on a boat headed out to sea for years, unable to escape or even reveal who she truly is. Now she's coming back in a boat covered in blood to find her family and track down the men responsible for stealing her life out ...

THE GOLDEN GUARDIAN IS BACK! FRESH FROM THE PAGES OF DOCTOR STRANGE... ...but is that really such a good thing? The greatest hero that the Marvel Universe ever forgot has returned! The Sentry - shining sentinel with the power of a thousand exploding suns - is back from the dead, but his troubled mind is far from finding peace. By day, he tr...

Someone or something has invaded Sentry World, and now Bob Reynolds finds himself in a race against the clock to try and stop the mystery invader before he can unravel everything the Sentry has worked so hard to build. But if Bob fails, the Void will be set free and the Marvel Universe will be torn apart. Can the Sentry save the day, or has Bob fai...

I've said, while reviewing one, or maybe more of the previous issues, that Marionette and Mime deserve a spin-off comic, and I guess for now, that's the closest thing we'll get. And it's absolutely amazing, from the very first to the very last page. I absolutely love Erika's development throughout this comic, and can understand her, and her motivations better.

Aside from her arc, we can see more smaller plot lines interconnecting - we get to know more about the shady actions of Department of Metahuman Affairs, we have an insight into Gotham's criminal underground wondering whether or not they should accept Black Adam's offer to come to his contry, of course there's more Joker as well.

Wonderful issue - there's plenty of action, drama, and great dialogues (including a small easter egg from Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight). It's a step up compared to last few issues (which were very good, don't get me wrong), for sure.more

Here's the thing: the issue itself was great and this was definitely one of the greatest origin story I've probably ever read. It was done so well that you start wishing for a series starring these two characters. But when a book comes out once in a blue moon, I definitely understand people being angry about this, as the story did not move much. Probably a tie-in issue in between the main issues would've been a better way to release this origin story, but I don't mind - I just want a good story that's worth my money, and this issue is just what I need.more

Acclaimed writer Brian Michael Bendis' new chapter for the Man of Steel and the world of tomorrow begins here! The devastating repercussions from the Man of Steel miniseries still reverberate as Metropolis enters a new age! The Daily Planet teeters on the brink of disaster! A new criminal element has made its way onto the streets of Superman's home...

I will give to Bendis that he use superman like I like to see using. Making jump here & there to help & fight but quickly.
I also like the mood he is in missing is family. And the last part was very surprising. But I'm not a fan of what Manhunter suggest.

Cover - I take a David Mack Variant. Beautiful & in a way related to what I read. The shape of a hero in rebuilding. 2/2
Writing - There is a lot of god & Manhunter apart Bendis convince me a lot there. Once more I hope this will not finish with Manhunter & her niece to become the enemies (Yeah I read Titans too this week). 2.5/3
Arts - Damn I love Reis. It's just perfect from the first panel to the last one. 3/3
Feeling - Mixed, but well done. I will try the second part of this story. 1/2
more

A bold new chapter for the greatest superhero of all time begins here as the superstar team of writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Ivan Reis begin their run on the all-new SUPERMAN! The fallout from the Man of Steel miniseries has Clark Kent looking at the world through new eyes... with new ideas about what Superman could and should do for the c...

The honeymoon's over for Bruce Wayne as Gotham City's most prominent citizen gets selected for jury duty in a chilling court case involving Mr. Freeze! Freeze claims the charges should be dismissed because Batman used excessive force; cue the outrage and media circus. While doing his civic duty, Wayne's forced to take a hard look at the Dark Knight...

What is hidden in the darkest depths of the ocean and farthest reaches of space doesn't even compare to the insidious secrets buried in the pasts of Flash, Green Lantern, and Martian Manhunter! While the rest of the League battles to save their friends before all of reality unravels, the citizens of Earth make a startling decision...to join the Leg...

Sooo close to giving this a 10. Love the art. Love how BMB writes Supes and finally liked how he wrote Lois and Jon. But his J'Onn...what was up with that? Take over? And "it's garbage?" That is not how J'Onn talks. (Also not sure about his Flash.) Overall, though, it was a joy to read and to look at. Give me more.

A bold new chapter for the greatest superhero of all time begins here as the superstar team of writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Ivan Reis begin their run on the all-new SUPERMAN! The fallout from the Man of Steel miniseries has Clark Kent looking at the world through new eyes... with new ideas about what Superman could and should do for the c...

A bold new chapter for the greatest superhero of all time begins here as the superstar team of writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Ivan Reis begin their run on the all-new SUPERMAN! The fallout from the Man of Steel miniseries has Clark Kent looking at the world through new eyes... with new ideas about what Superman could and should do for the c...

It's hard to believe, but we're here, with Superman's 1000th issue. What a time to be alive, and celebrate the long and successful life of Clark Kent. A lot has changed throughout last 80 years - there was the second world war, rise and fall of the eastern bloc, computers shrinked down from apartment sized vacuum tube giants to something we can hold in one hand, and humans been to space, just to mention couple of things. You know what didn't change, though? Superman. He always stood for the same core values and principles, standing for those who are in need. He is a symbol of hope, and a true role model to follow, even if we don't have any super powers.

This historic issue features couple different stories celebrating the rich legacy of Supes, with nods to his first appearance (elegantly simple story by Johns), and other iconic stories, like The Dark Knight Returns and Kingdom Come (Tomasi's work). There's also a solid dose of pure sweetness, like the opening story written by Dan Jurgens, concluding with a mass cameo of Superman's closest friends (well, for the most part, which makes the scene even better).
There may not be something as emotional and heartwarming as Superman's #39, but nonetheless, I believe eneryone should find something they like in this anniversary collection - it sure is diverse.

My only problem is related to the very last story - written by Michael Bendis. And don't get me wrong - it reads very well, it looks beautiful (after all, it's drawn by Jim Lee), and definitely made me feel hopeful about Bendis joining DC (since he's partially, among many others, responsible for Marvel's regressive downfall) but his story was a teaser, not a self contained "thank you". I definitely will pick The Man of Steel when it comes out, I just wish this issue was, from the beginning to the end, a celebration of Superman's history, not a ferecast of what's to come, even if that something looks very promising.more

Retailers: This issue will ship with ten covers. Please see the order form for details.Celebrate 1000 issues of Action Comics with an all-star lineup of top talent as they pay tribute to the comic that started it all! From today's explosive action to a previously unpublished tale illustrated by the legendary Curt Swan to the Man ...